PACIFICON 2011, an annual amateur radio convention, will take place Friday, October 14th through Sunday, October 16th, at the Marriott Santa Clara Hotel, 2700 Mission College Boulevard, Santa Clara, California.
One of the activities is Parachute Mobile where radio-equipped skydivers perform radio contacts, transmit bio-medical data and live television while in the air under parachute. Jumps are scheduled at Byron Airport in Contra Costa county on other side of mountain range from Livermore. Air to ground amateur television (ATV) will be done at the airport. Plans are to re-transmit these video transmissions to the W6CX ATV repeater on Mt. Diablo. An ATV receiver at Ames Amateur Radio Club can then re-transmit this signal to K6BEN ATV repeater on east San Jose foothills. Attendees at Pacificon Santa Clara Marriott can then watch live television transmissions from the skydiver.
A number of technical hurdles are present but AARC members are working in cooperation with those on Parachute Mobile, W6CX, and K6BEN teams. Presented here are some of the items used in this activity.
Depending on event schedule, AARC may re-transmit amateur radio activities on ISS during weekend of Pacificon.
What is Pacificon 2011?
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Pacificon features a full slate of forum presentations about a wide range of amateur radio related topics, a large hall filled with exciting product exhibits, a series of demonstrations, activities, an outdoor Swap Meet, a one day Technician Class to prepare you to pass the examination for your first ham radio license, fun and informative T-Hunts, a chance to discuss important national amateur radio issues with top ARRL leaders, the Boy Scout Jamboree-On-The-Air (scouts in uniform admitted free), chances to win great radios and other prizes throughout the convention, and perhaps the best part - interact and share information with lots of other amateur radio enthusiasts to further (or begin) your own knowledge and to advance the hobby.
Parachute Mobile ATV comm plan (click image for enlarge)
A few photos showing ATV evaluation:
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ATV console, uplink video on left, K6BEN downlink on right monitor. W6CX received viewed on TV set on table from from downconverter sitting on VCR. |
9-3-11 update: Shorter cable from 1.2 GHz antenna to downconverter, here is a screen grab from received signal from W6CX. Audio can be heard. We may install pre-amp later. |
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High gain loop yagis, upper pointed toward K6BEN, lower pointed toward W6CX. UHF antenna below for other. |
Local ATV reception shown on big screen TV set, transmission is from jumper #2. (camera was pointed towards a laptop viewing the 2.4GHz video). |
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TV sets used for local ATV receive. 1.2 GHz transmitter to W6CX on far left. | 1.2 GHz yagi antenna aimed at Mt. Diablo (W6CX). | |
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| Jumper #1 getting equipped with radio, data, and ATV gear. | Jumper #2 getting equipped with radio, data, and ATV gear. | |
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900 MHz ATV transmitter with camera on field test. Antenna on top of telescopic pole in tripod. | 900 MHz yagi antenna on top of telescopic pole. | |
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| 900 MHz ATV transmitter box with antenna. |
900 MHz ATV transmitter box on side with antenna rotated. |
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| Close up view of 900 MHz ATV transmitter. |
900 MHz ATV transmitter in box (cover removed), and complementary receiver board. |
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| Video still of 900 MHz transmission on field test. |
Callsign ID overlay on video packaged in boxes with RCA and powerpole connectors. Each jumper pre-programmed. |
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| UHF (427 MHz) ATV transmitter box, with convenient connectors. | Inside UHF (427 MHz) ATV transmitter box. |
Pacificon amateur radio convention site